(Sports Network) - Andrew Oliver takes another crack at his first big league win this afternoon when the Detroit Tigers host the Baltimore Orioles in the first test of a three-game series at Comerica Park.
Oliver, whose first two starts have come on the road, was charged with the loss in his debut on June 25 in Atlanta, surrendering a pair of runs in six innings. He was then dealt the loss on Wednesday in Minnesota, again giving up two earned runs in six innings.
Detroit was denied a sweep in its three-game set with the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, but still won its fifth straight series at home, despite the 8-1 setback.
Jeremy Bonderman (4-6) yielded seven runs on nine hits before he and catcher Gerald Laird were ejected by home plate umpire CB Bucknor in the fifth inning for arguing balls and strikes.
"(Bucknor) was calling strikes for Cliff (Lee) and wasn't giving them to me," Bonderman said.
Detroit has lost three of its last five games overall, but has won 12 of its previous 14 games at home.
The Tigers, though, will have their work cut out for them, as they face a resurgent Kevin Millwood, who has won his last two decisions after starting the year 0-8.
Millwood did not get a decision on Wednesday against Oakland and was hit hard, yielding six runs (five earned) and eight hits in five innings of his team's 9-6 win. He is 2-8 on the year with a 5.40 ERA.
The veteran right-hander has faced the Tigers 13 times and is 4-5 in those contests with a 3.65 ERA.
Baltimore snapped a three-game losing streak on Sunday, as Brian Matusz tossed seven strong innings and Nick Markakis collected three hits and drove in a run, helping the Orioles past the Boston Red Sox, 6-1.
Matusz (3-9) scattered two hits, walked three batters and struck out eight to record his first win since April 18 at Oakland. The Orioles had dropped 12 of the last 13 games started by the young lefty.
"My slider was real effective and working the fastball in and out was huge," Matusz said.
Detroit took five of its eight meetings with the Orioles last season.